Cited by 477COVID-19 and Mental HealthOccupational Health and BurnoutHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation of the nurses in a structured SARS caring unit during outbreak: A prospective and periodic assessment study in Taiwan

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SU, T, LIEN, T, YANG, C, SU, Y, WANG, J, TSAI, S, YIN, J·2007·Journal of Psychiatric Research

Abstract

To assess the rapidly changing psychological status of nurses during the acute phase of the 2003 SARS outbreak, we conducted a prospective and periodic evaluation of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation among nurses in SARS units and non-SARS units. Nurse participants were from two SARS units (regular SARS [N=44] and SARS ICU [N=26]) and two non-SARS units (Neurology [N=15] and CCU [N=17]). Participants periodically self-evaluated their depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep disturbance, attitude towards SARS and family support. Results showed that depression (38.5% vs. 3.1%) and insomnia (37% vs. 9.7%) were, respectively, greater in the SARS unit nurses than the non-SARS unit nurses. No difference between these two groups was found in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (33% vs. 18.7%), yet, three unit subjects (SARS ICU, SARS regular and Neurology) had significantly higher rate than those in CCU (29.7% vs. 11.8%, respectively) (p<0.05). For the SARS unit nurses, significant reduction in mood ratings, insomnia rate and perceived negative feelings as well as increasing knowledge and understanding of SARS at the end of the study (all p<0.001) indicated that a gradual psychological adaptation had occurred. The adjustment of nurses in the more structured SARS ICU environment, where nurses care for even more severely ill patients, may have been as good or better than that of nurses in the regular SARS unit. Occurrence of psychiatric symptoms was linked to direct exposure to SARS patient care, previous mood disorder history, younger age and perceived negative feelings. Positive coping attitude and strong social and family support may have protected against acute stress. In conclusion, the psychological impact on the caring staffs facing future bio-disaster will be minimized with lowered risk factors and a safer and more structured work environment.

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  1. Chou F.H. Su T.P. Chou P. Survey of psychiatric disorders after an earthquake: MINI diagnosis for a village population in Taiwan Journal Formosan Medical Association 104 2005 305 318 15959597

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Authors
SU, T., LIEN, T., YANG, C., SU, Y., WANG, J., TSAI, S., & YIN, J.
Affiliations
Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TW)
Corresponding author
SU, T
Venue
Journal of Psychiatric Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-01
Volume
41
Issue
1-2
Pages
119-130
ISSN
0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2158170093
Cited by
477
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 77 · 2021: 156 · 2020: 137 · 2019: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
3.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Keywords
SARS, nurses, psychiatric morbidity, psychological adjustment, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, insomnia, sleep disorders, family support, coping, occupational stress, 2003 SARS outbreak
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Anxiety, Depression, Disease Outbreaks, Family, Female, Humans, Nurse-Patient Relations, Nurses, Periodicity, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Social Support, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Taiwan, Prevalence, Workplace, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

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